[Dark Action Fall 2017] Like Devil May Cry? Watch This!

8:00 PM December 18, 2017

Anime Recommendations [Article Category]
Kekkai Sensen (Blood Blockade Battlefront), Garo: Vanishing Line [Anime Title]

Garo-VANISHING-LINE-225x350 [Dark Action Fall 2017] Like Devil May Cry? Watch This!

Introduction:

With the fall season’s shows in mid-swing, Honey’s felt it was about time to make some in-depth comparisons between current shows and a classic. This article is a way for those of you who have not kept up with the current season to easily pick out the shows that you should go for, as we compare them to a classic that you have probably seen. The focus of this particular one is how Garo: Vanishing Line and Kekkai Sensen & Beyond are the series for you to watch this season, if you like Devil May Cry.

About Devil May Cry

Episodes: 12
Aired: Jun. 2007-Sep. 2007

Devil May Cry puts us in the shoes of the demon hunter Dante, as he makes his way through a dark and seedy world with horrors hidden around every corner. Based off of the Devil May Cry video game series by Capcom, this anime is full of action. Most of the time blood is being spilled in one way or another. If the blood is not flowing, then chances are Dante is being a smartass and cutting people up with his sharp tongue. It is an exciting romp that seamlessly blends modern times with the supernatural. The main points are the action, ultra-macho main character, and modern setting.

Like Devil May Cry? Watch Garo: Vanishing Line

Episodes: Unknown
Aired: Oct. 2017-

Garo: Vanishing Line continues the Garo series in beautiful fashion. If you have ever been hesitant about jumping into this franchise, now is the time to let go of your doubts and concerns. Garo: Vanishing Line is an amazing, action-packed run that works perfectly as an entry point into the franchise. It brings us into Russell City, a cosmopolitan similar to New York City, where there are thousands of streets and skyscrapers housing both life and death. In this maze, we follow the Makai Knight Sword and a young girl named Sophie, who are tied in their search for the meaning behind “El Dorado”. Will they be able to decipher the cryptic clues they are given in this world full of threats, both human and demon?

Three Major Similarities Between Devil May Cry and Garo: Vanishing Line

1. Macho, Macho Man

Sword and Dante are the epitome of what it means to be a manly man. Both of them are immensely powerful, with both displaying unparalleled skill when it comes to killing demons. They are quick and suave and take down foes with a certain finesse that makes you wish you were as skilled. Not only are their fighting skills on point, but also, they have the look. Both of these characters wear a decent amount of leather and have their muscles rippling against their clothes as they take to the streets on a motorcycle. It doesn’t get manlier than characters with leather, muscles, and motorcycles. The cherry on top is that each has perfected the art of the comeback. Both guys can give a tongue-lashing and have one-liners that will leave you in stitches. Altogether, the two main characters are extremely fun to watch, even when their quips showcase misogynistic tones.

2. The Missing Link

Devil May Cry and Garo: Vanishing Line have a character with a mysterious connection to the demon/supernatural realm. That is nothing unusual in anime though. How about the fact that the link, in both of these series, is a young girl? Well, that is still not that unique of a connection. However, in both of these series the young girl takes on an extremely similar role. Patty (DMC) and Sophie (Garo) help to bring out the softer side of the macho male protagonists. They give Dante and Sword a paternal vibe, which helps humanize them. They also act as a crucial element for allowing the male protagonist to dive deeper into the supernatural realm.

3. Modern Times

Utilizing a major city is something that all three shows in this article do. By taking on the setting of a city, these shows create a unique atmosphere by mixing modern-day technology with the supernatural. Most anime keep demons to more fantasy-type settings with medieval buildings and weapons. When the demons are imposed upon a city, there are two things that happen in the mind of the audience. The first is that the city is actually a perfect place for evil forces. There are so many nooks and crannies for the forces of evil to hide in a city. Abandoned buildings, forgotten streets, and dark alleyways are all there. Plus, there is generally a seedy underbelly in the first place, so it will be easy for the supernatural to creep in. The second is that it is creepy to imagine an ancient/supernatural force being able to seamlessly take advantage of us when we are living in our most modern of areas. It’s not like these characters are living out on a farm, where a monster can easily just slaughter them all without anyone knowing. This is a city with millions of people and a constantly supply of news. Yet, the monsters are able to find a way.

Like Devil May Cry? Watch Kekkai Sensen & Beyond

Episodes: 13
Aired: Oct. 2017-Dec. 2017

Kekkai Sensen & Beyond continues to follow the daily missions and struggles of the Libra Organization, as it tries to keep the peace and order of Hellsalem’s Lot. We stick to the crew of characters that we were introduced to in the first season, and get episodes that take the time to explore the side characters, rather than mainly focusing on Leo. While the structure is slightly different than the first season, but the artwork, the action, and overall tone are still there. Epic battles happen constantly and you’ll need to train your eye to keep up with the frantic pace of such action-packed moments.

Three Major Similarities between Devil May Cry and Kekkai Sensen & Beyond

1. It Takes a Village

Devil May Cry and Kekkai Sensen & Beyond both deal heavily with the impact and influence of various organizations. The main cast of Kekkai Sensen & Beyond is the Libra organization, which tries to keep the peace in Hellsalem’s Lot. Devil May Cry is the name of the show and Dante’s devil-hunting business. Though the focus is on Dante, he does receive tips and information from his agent Morison. This reliance as well as Dante’s relationship with other demon hunters demonstrates that there is a whole underground network dealing with the supernatural. On a pretty frequent basis in each series, characters or entire criminal organizations make use of demonic powers in order to get ahead. Good or evil, no one acts alone, which makes for a riveting experience as we watch relationships bloom and dig deeper into the evil lurking behind the scenes.

2. White-Haired Studs

Zapp and Dante are extremely similar to one another. It must be admitted that Zapp is not the primary protagonist, as that is Leo’s role. Nonetheless, he is Leo’s partner, and he does get a lot of screen time, especially as the second season takes the focus off of Leo. The comparison between Zapp and Dante is extremely noticeable. Their skills, looks, and attitudes match up pretty well, which is actually an understatement. On first look basis, many probably assumed that Zapp was based off of Dante’s character design. Both are slender but ripped with white hair. Both possess godly abilities with the sword. Each has a way with the ladies (Chain is the main exception to this in Zapp’s case). Neither of them seems to have a problem with speaking their minds, which tends to take the form of a juvenile or smartass comment. The main difference between the two is that Zapp has an uncontrollable temper, and so he has the tendency to act in ways that can be seen as not only juvenile but straight-out dumb. Dante never loses his cool.

3. The Concrete Jungle

The feel and vibe of a modern-day city plays a crucial role in both Devil May Cry and Kekkai Sensen & Beyond. A sense of grittiness is instilled in the audience thanks to the harshness of these cities. All the lights and grandeur of the city simply cast a heavier shadow. Every positive aspect of the city is matched with a negative. Danger lurks in the cold streets that are full of strangers. Anonymity breeds paranoia as you realize you can’t trust what you see. That old lady on the street corner could easily be a demon. These cities are antagonistic and prove to be the perfect place for the supernatural. It must be noted that there is a main difference in the way the city is used. The setting in Devil May Cry constantly switches from the heart of the city to the outskirts of the city, which makes the city feel more like a plain backdrop. In Kekkai Sensen & Beyond, the city is alive and feels like its own character.

Final Thoughts

If you like Devil May Cry, or any show that deals with demons living in a city, then you will definitely enjoy the action and plot of Garo: Vanishing Line and Kekkai Sensen & Beyond. All of these shows have some truly badass characters and a lot of action. If you can think of any other similarities between the shows, please leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!

Writer

Author: Yoko Dev

Hello, my anime peers. I’m from the states, but have taken an indefinite leave to travel while freelancing. Outside of a deep admiration for anime that started long ago, I love to read, write, and play video games. The main issue of traveling so far has been not having a console.

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